SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, MI — The final score was, well, who cares? The goal of the Thursday, May 15, basketball game between National Football League’s Detroit Lions and community members was to raise money for the Saginaw County Crime Stoppers.

Hundreds of people attended to meet current and former Detroit Lions in Heritage High School’s main gymnasium. Autographs were signed, pictures were taken and of course there was a basketball game full of shenanigans.

Tahir Whitehead, Riley Reiff and Bill Bentley, alongside Cory Schlesinger, Rob Rubick and four-time pro bowler Herman Moore, squared off against the Crime Stoppers team made up of high school students, law enforcement, firefighters, volunteers and local media.

“It’s an opportunity for the fans to see us up close and personal and gives us an opportunity to meet the fans,” said Cory Schlesinger, while pausing to sign three posters and a shirt for young fans.

“I think Crime Stoppers is a great organization,” he said. “I’m a big supporter but it’s upsetting that we have organizations like that.”

Raising funds for tips

Willie Haynes, president of Saginaw County Crime Stoppers, said the organization has held this fundraiser for 10 years.

“It’s one of the ways we raise money to give tip money away,” Haynes said. “The Detroit Lions have been wonderful.”

The event will raise about $5,000, said Eddie Foxx, vice president for Crime Stoppers.

“If a person wants to report a felony crime they can call 1-800-422-JAIL,” Foxx said. “The whole process is confidential. You’ll get a recording when you call and will be assigned a number.

“You can check back later to see if the number assigned to you resulted in an arrest. If it did you will be given instructions to where and how to get your money.”

Crime Stoppers offers up to $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest, Foxx said. “Nobody knows you called unless you tell them,” he said.

Ballin’ with the pros

The players interacting with the crowd is something Foxx says makes it a fun night for families.

“When they come they let the kids participate,” Foxx said. “It’s like a mini Globetrotters event. They make it fun for everyone."

Down by four points early in the second half, a foul committed by the Crime Stoppers sent the Lions to the foul line.

Rubick grabbed 9-year-old Derrick Burch from the crowd to shoot the free throws. After missing his first attempt, the North Saginaw Charter Academy student took a breath, focused on the rim and tossed up his second shot.

The ball rolled around the rim and popped back out.

“Aww,” the crowd gasped.

Schlesinger clapped his hands together. It was a signal the audience was used to by now. A chant-like clap filled the gym.

Derrick took the ball, dribbled it twice, corrected his form and tossed the ball again. It went through the net.

The crowd roared.

Derrick, who came with his father Derrick Burch Sr., said it was a fun experience.

“I’m going to tell my best friend at school I shot ball with NFL players,” he later said.